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Case Reports
. 2013 May 1;18(3):e445-8.
doi: 10.4317/medoral.18634.

Soft palate preservation after tumor resection with transoral laser microsurgery

Kuauhyama Luna-Ortiz  1 , Antonio Gómez-Pedraza, Adalberto Mosqueda-Taylor
Affiliations
Case Reports

Soft palate preservation after tumor resection with transoral laser microsurgery

Kuauhyama Luna-Ortiz et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. .

Abstract

Background: Management and preservation of the soft palate is dependent on clinical stage and tumor histology. However, available literature is scarce regarding the palate preservation with the use of laser CO₂.

Objectives: We report the results obtained after management with laser surgery and soft palate preservation in three patients with salivary gland neoplasms.

Method: Three patients with minor salivary gland tumors were treated by means of transoral laser microsurgery. All tumors were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. All tumors were >3 cm. Soft palate function was preserved and reconstruction was performed with primary closure. Patients began oral feeding the same day and were discharged after 24 h.

Conclusions: Transoral laser microsurgery is recommended for treatment of soft palate tumors. This treatment can be considered a better option when compared with other modalities such as radio- or chemoradiotherapy which require a longer time of treatment, are more expensive and tend to produce significant toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A) Sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing dependent lesions of the soft palate shaping the dome of the tongue at the base. B) Photograph of the lesion showing ulceration. C) Surgical bed after resection with CO2 laser. D) Primary closure of the palate defect.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A) Sagittal MRI showing lesion in the soft palate without compromise of the nasal cavity. B) Axial MRI with lesion found to the left of the midline, dependent on the soft palate. C) Photo after resection showing the defect in the soft palate. D) Photograph showing primary closure in the immediate postoperative period.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A) Sagittal MRI showing lesion in the soft palate and there is total obstruction of the naso-oropharynx. B) Axial MRI with lesion found to the right of the midline dependent on the soft palate.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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